Stadium loses out on major tournament
Failure to secure the hosting of the Reserve League Festival of the MultiChoice Diski Challenge for the Premier Soccer League (PSL) has left the management of Seshego Stadium disappointed. The facility failed to meet the minimum standard requirements as set by the league. The festival, which will see South African soccer giants Orlando Pirates, Kaizer …
Failure to secure the hosting of the Reserve League Festival of the MultiChoice Diski Challenge for the Premier Soccer League (PSL) has left the management of Seshego Stadium disappointed.
The facility failed to meet the minimum standard requirements as set by the league.
The festival, which will see South African soccer giants Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits in action on the weekend of 8 and 9 October has been moved to Kanyamazane Stadium near Mbombela, Mpumalanga.
Community Development Director at Polokwane Municipality, Ndavhe Ramakuela said they are disappointed that they could not meet the minimum standard requirements of the PSL.
“We don’t have a certificate of occupation and that is the reason why we were unable to host the festival. The stadium was under construction from 2014. There were some contractual issues but the practical work is done. We just need commissioning and we can only get it after the work is fully done,” Ramakuela said.
The upgrading of the stadium included building dressing rooms, installing an irrigation system, drainage system, lightings, a parameter fence and turnstiles and the numbering of pavilion seats.
Once fully completed the stadium would be able to host national and international events both day and night.
Ramakuela stressed that the festival would have given them an opportunity to expose the facility and city to the nation.
PSL head of Stadium Logistics, Ronnie Schloss was quoted to have said: “We are sad to announce that the Seshego Stadium has not been approved because it does not meet the minimum PSL requirements.
“We would like to apologise to the people of Polokwane and the province as we would have loved to host the festival there for the first time but unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, it was not possible. We have now shifted our focus to Kanyamazane and we are looking forward to an exciting festival there,” Schloss said.
Story and photo: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert@mailbox.co.za
Featured photo: Ndavhe Ramakuela, Community Development Director at Polokwane Municipality.
